"TERROR ARRESTS 'HAD NO EFFECT'"

Or so says the title to a story in today's Australian. The story focuses on Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Paul O'Sullivan's appearance before a Senate committee inquiring into proposed terror legislation. O'Sullivan doesn't say the arrests had "no effect"; he simply says the threat remains:

"I will, however, note that the threat has not abated and we need to continue the work of identifying people intent on doing harm, whether they are already in our community, or seeking to come here from overseas, or to attack Australia's interests overseas."

More notable, however, than the article's bogus title are the comments from Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network (AMCRAN) spokesman Dr Waleed Kadous, who thinks the new laws might radicalize Australian Muslims:

"Legislation is not just about law, it's about social messages."

"It's not within my power to guarantee that the introduction of these laws will not lead to people susceptible to radical ideas falling for them as a consequence of what they see as being railroaded."

That's a warning that almost sounds like a threat.

Regardless, the reaction of some Muslims to the proposed terror laws also sends a social message: if laws are passed that they don't like, they are prepared – or so it is implied – to respond with deadly violence. Jeez, just imagine if every minority in Australia that felt vitimized by the law responded by making bombs. Disgruntled fathers, for example, would have long since blown the Family Court into orbit. In a democracy, you just have to stuck it up and get on with it when you don't get your way.